Update on statewide drought conditions and the need to conserve
Today (March 24, 2022), California’s State Water Board adopted an emergency water conservation regulation, requiring all urban water suppliers to implement conservation actions under Level 2 of their Water Shortage Contingency Plans. Click here to learn more about this announcement.
Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water) currently has an adequate water supply to meet the needs of our customers; however, it’s important that customers continue using water responsibly and making conservation a way of life.
What you need to know
Customers are reminded that California Governor Gavin Newsom has called on local water suppliers to implement drought contingency plans, and at a minimum, activate Level 2 of their customized Water Shortage Contingency Plans. Triggering Level 2 of these plans involves implementing water conservation actions to prepare for a water shortage level of up to 20 percent.
In September 2021, Golden State Water received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to add a Water Shortage Contingency and Staged Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing Plan (Schedule 14.1) to its tariffs for all customer service areas. This filing is designed to encourage water users to reduce their usage, as compared to the amount they used in 2020, with a strong focus on encouraging those customers with high per capita usage to achieve proportionally greater reduction than those with low usage.
At this point, most Golden State Water service areas remain in Stage 1 of the Water Shortage Contingency and Staged Mandatory Water Conservation and Rationing plan, which encourages customers to voluntarily reduce usage by 15% (compared to 2020) and limit outdoor irrigation/watering to no more than three days per week between the hours of 7 pm-8 am:
Addresses ending in an even number: Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
Addresses ending in an odd number: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Customers in the Coastal communities served by Golden State Water’s Edna Road, Nipomo and Cypress Ridge systems are currently in Stage 2, which requires a 20% reduction in water use (compared to 2020) and limits outdoor irrigation/watering to two days per week between the hours of 7 pm-8 am:
Addresses ending in an even number: Sunday, Wednesday
Addresses ending in an odd number: Tuesday, Saturday
Claremont and Simi Valley customers are also in Stage 2 due to local water supplies as well as state and regional regulations.
Click here for additional information, including the current status in your area.
How you can reduce your water footprint
Golden State Water customers did a tremendous job reducing water use during the last drought, and most have continued those water-efficient practices and made conservation a way of life. We must all work together to help protect valuable local and state water supplies.
The biggest opportunity to save for most residential water customers is by cutting back on irrigation/watering of lawns and gardens; however, watering trees at least once per week may help to limit the number of trees lost due to drought. Additionally, customers are reminded that the following practices that waste potable water are prohibited in California:
- Hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes.
- Washing a motor vehicle with a hose, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle.
- Operating a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is part of a recirculating system.
- Watering outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff, or within 48 hours following measurable precipitation.
- Irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians.
Visit our Conservation webpage to learn more about rebates, resources and tips to help customers save water and improve their water-use efficiency. Additional water-saving tips and resources are available through the Save Our Water Program.
Golden State Water will provide additional drought-related updates with customers as developments and conditions warrant. Customers are encouraged to follow @GoldenStateH2O on Twitter and Facebook for real-time information about the drought and local water service.
Additional Resources
To learn more about current conditions, the state’s response and informational resources available to the public, please visit the state’s drought preparedness website.